WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national membership-driven organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), is outraged by the racist remarks from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid at the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce event on August 21. Ken Lee, OCA Acting Chief Executive Officer said the following:

“Senator Reid’s comments are offensive and racist to Asian Pacific Americans. He falsely assumes that our communities continue to perpetuate the model minority stereotype, when we have been actively working to highlight the vast socioeconomic disparities within our communities. If Senator Reid doesn’t know, Asian Pacific Americans include ethnic communities that have some of the highest rates of poverty and lowest rates of academic success among all ethnic and racial groups in the United States – an advocacy point that many APA organizations have continued to mobilize around to ensure necessary funding to address these discrepancies.

Additionally, the Senator’s comment about keeping his Wongs straight is, simply put, racist and disgusting. It implies that Asian Pacific Americans are identical, monolithic, and interchangeable and devalues our individual identities, cultures, and heritage.Though we understand the Senator has apologized, half-hearted apologies are not enough. He must make intentional efforts to work with Asian Pacific Americans in a culturally acceptable and appropriate manner.”​

###

Comments...

OCA APA Advocates Greater Philadelphia gains apology from Philadelphia Public Record publisher in printing of racial slurs against Asian participants in a political fundraiser on August 21, 2014:
Dear Mr. [sic] Vu,
I have read your letter and wish to share with you our grave concern. I hope you have noticed the formal apology we posted on our website on Sunday. As we are a weekly newspaper, a printed apology will appear in our next print edition on Aug. 28. The individual responsible for this offense has been terminated.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know. Feel free to meet with me at your convenience.
James Tayoun
Publisher
Philadelphia Public Record